Ginetta Reveals Pricing Structure for LMP1 Car

Ginetta has released the pricing structure and further technical details of its LMP1 non-hybrid car, which will debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year.

The yet-to-be-named car will be priced at £1.34 million ($1.67 million) for the rolling chassis and electronics, with the engine lease and full technical support an additional £594,000 ($744,282) per year.

It is the first modern-day LMP1 constructor to detail pricing, in what Ginetta Commercial Director Nick Portlock feels is a competitive option for teams looking to step up to the top prototype class.

“The whole idea was for us to simplify it,” Portlock told Sportscar365. “The car is £1.34 million. That’s a rolling chassis and ready to go.

“By putting the price of £594,000 [for the engine lease], that’s the technical support, all the running through testing and the season. It’s an all-in cost.”

The car, powered by a 3.4-liter V6 turbo from Mecachrome, is expected to begin on-track testing in September, according to technical director Ewan Baldry.

Baldry said the design concept, generic body shape and suspension geometry has already been defined, with 30 different whole-car CFD calculations completed through its partnership with Adrian Reynard’s Auto Research Center in Indianapolis.

Former Williams engineer Andy Lewis, who has spent the last four years involved in the aero testing of Porsche’s 919 Hybrid, has been confirmed as the Head of Aerodynamics, with Peugeot 908 designer Paolo Catone on-board as a consultant and Williams Advanced Engineering tasked with wind tunnel testing.

Italian firm ARS Composite Structures, meanwhile, will be building a run of ten chassis, which Ginetta Chairman Lawrence Tomlinson is targeting up to six cars being on track by as early as next year.

“The dream would be three two-car teams, which would be absolutely fantastic,” Tomlinson told Sportscar365.

“Is that possible over the course of the project? Absolutely. Is that possible during the 2018 season? I think it’s optimistic but not impossible.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt in Year One there will be three-plus cars, from the interest out there.”

Tomlinson said they’ve been in discussions with “lots of different people,” with Manor understood to be moving forward with its plans to expand to the LMP1 ranks.

Rebellion Racing’s Bart Hayden, meanwhile, was among those present at the British constructor’s formal launch of the LMP1 project Thursday at Silverstone.

While the name of the car hasn’t yet been disclosed, Tomlinson said that it would “very likely” would be a G-number, in line with the brand’s other models.

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365 as well as the recently launched e-racing365 Web site for electric racing. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com/SPEED Channel, and contributes to other publications worldwide. Contact John